Summary of the Google Hangout Tue 14th May 2016 on the topic ‘Implementation of the Sustainable Goals in Rural Africa’ , presented by Paul Shaw, Judyannet, NAYD steering group in discussion with the #NAYDSDGs team from Niger and Nina the translator.

The Niger team is composed of a very dynamic group of persons each in charge of a specific SDG namely, climate change, gender issues, agriculture, water and sanitation, peace, health and this is piloted by a Coordination team headed by Abouzeidi Sanoussi Abdoul Aziz.

The main strategy to develop the stakeholder network is to partner with grassroots organizations in rural area based on the issues they work on and count on the extent by which these grassroots organizations have interest in the network for success to be achieved.

Addressing the question of communication, the Niger team will use different channels based on the target. For young people in the rural milieu, the Niger team focuses on the use of community radio, village youth meetings, village notice boards, and those in the urban areas, they will use other approaches such as social media like facebook, whatsapp, and flyers to raise awareness.

Considering that the implementation of the SDG across Rural Africa is a new initiative, the youth of Niger have developed strong interest in the SDGs and now participating massively in this new process. The Niger Network is made up of young and dynamic young people from diverse backgrounds providing the ease to reach out to other young people and organizations in the rural communities.

Regarding gender engagement towards the implementation of SDGs, the young woman in the group emplaned that there is a lot to consider for balance in participation. Efforts are currently being done to reach out to women youth-led initiatives and to young women in general by providing enough education on the SDGs. This has increased interest and participation from young women some of whom have been integrated in the Niger network team.

Discussing on the needs of the Niger team to implement the SDG in Niger, the team explained that they would need a number of specialized capacity building to ensure that each member can contribute towards the implementation. Such capacity building will focus on knowledge of the SDGs, measurement of impacts and advocacy skills to promote rural voices that translate to sound policies and decision making towards appropriate and relevant actions.

The different challenges encountered in the implementation of the SDGs are weighted on firstly the knowledge and recognition of the SDGs, difficulty in community mobilization, financial incapacities, lack of partnership, communication barriers especially when communication considers English as the medium of exchange.

Based on the large surface area of Niger covering more than one million square kilometres, the Niger team proposes a focal point approach which is common in Niger to reach out to most rural communities. But this will only be successful if the focal points are well trained with skills to carry out community mobilisation and animation of development processes.

Political environment, corruption and poor rural mobile/internet coverage are all hindrances to development. Uganda had social media turned off for 2 weeks and development activists had their movement and activities monitored.

Sensitization is key to getting rural youths engaged in development. People have to commit themselves. Poverty Hearing Sessions where community meetings or village Hall dialogue are held. Leadership skills are key – can encourage mushroom cultivation, maize cultivation, bee keeping, aquaculture (SDG 8). Money doesn’t have to be a priority for many development activities though obviously essential for infrastructure projects (SDG 9).

Advantage of youth networks – voice is louder, is international, can help to push governments, better lobbying, and collective advocacy, can strengthen national teams by providing support. The idea of national and continental teams is good for youth. Can encourage other youth-led networks to be part of the team. Especially important to identify associations working in rural areas. The #NAYDSDG teams will need capacity building as well. Identified tailored capacity building modules for country teams shall facilitate their involvement at all levels.